BOULDER, Colo. — As residential building codes call for greater energy efficiency, and the use of onsite generation for grid load management becomes more valuable, the market for zero net energy homes (ZNEHs) is emerging, says Navigant Research. Near-ZNE and ZNE-ready homes are also becoming increasingly accepted as builders make more effort to offer enhanced efficiency options and satisfy energy-conscious consumers. According to a new report from the research firm, total zero net energy homes in North America are expected to grow from 750 in 2015 to nearly 27,000 in 2025.

“ZNEHs are still quite rare; however, the market is poised for growth over the next decade, particularly in California, where a strong regulatory framework calls for all new homes to be zero net starting in 2020,” said Neil Strother, principal research analyst with Navigant Research. “In addition, the market is expected to get a boost as builders incorporate the latest technologies to meet the increased energy efficiency standards, and to satisfy consumers seeking to significantly lower or eliminate their monthly energy bills and reduce their impact on the environment.”

While California leads the drive toward ZNEHs worldwide, according to the report, other states in the United States and other countries in select regions are beginning to follow suit. Outside of North America, the ZNE market is gaining momentum in Asia Pacific and in Europe, where a 2010 European Union directive requests all new buildings be near-ZNE by the end of 2020.

The report, Market Data: Zero Net Energy Homes, examines the global market for ZNEHs in three categories: ZNE, near-ZNE, and ZNE-ready. The study provides an analysis of the drivers and barriers of the ZNEH market and highlights several case studies.

An executive summary of the report is available here.

Publication date: 1/8/2016

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